Why does every land deal get slammed on the public ATF

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Look what the budget found money for all of the sudden.

They found an extra 8 million to jump on this deal before the public ever heard of it. Yet we have parks that are closed and out of money Open Matagorda back up with the extra money you slushed.

Then put this up for public input with reason able time for input.




http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/other-area-parks/devils-river-paddle-trips-are-in-danger!!-action-is-needed-to-keep-public-access/15/




"There are several things that concern us. How are they going to pay for it? Not just the up-front costs -- the $8 million -- but development, operational and maintenance costs, particularly given the economic issues state agencies are facing," Ken Kramer, director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, said of the Devils River swap/purchase proposal. "And we're certainly concerned with what seems like a rush to get this deal done quickly, without much notice and opportunity for public input. The first I heard about it was last week. It doesn't appear to me they are living up to the spirit of their policy on land transactions."

After a 2005 controversy involving a potential sale of several thousand acres of Big Bend Ranch State Park, TPWD developed a land transaction process that included more public notice of potential land deals and more opportunities for public comment.

That policy included discussing the deal during at least two commission meetings and at least 30 days public notice before the commission could consider approving any transaction. The 30-day-notice policy was modified in 2008 to add "or some other reasonable period," Boruff said.




http://www.allbusiness.com/environment-natural-resources/land-use-development/15206335-1.html



http://www.landsofamerica.com/america/?detail=&inv_id=321953#






http://www.landsofamerica.com/america/?detail=&inv_id=321953#

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1. Dallas Downriver Club

Here's a copy of an e-mail I got from Marc McCord

Dear Friends,

Our “friends” at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are trying to sneak a deal in the back door on the Devils River that, if passed, will effectively end any river trips on one of the most pristine and remote, wilderness rivers in our state.

At issue is a plan to swap the Devils River State Natural Area (SNA) and $7.9 Million of our taxpayer money for a parcel of land adjacent to Lake Amistad on which to build a new state park. This plan will leave no legal place to camp along the Devils River for the first 37+ miles between SH 163 at Bakers crossing and Lake Amistad. As anybody who has ever paddled that river knows, the most thrills are on the upper reach of the river and the most head wind is on the lower reach.

This proposed plan will thrill Devils River adjacent landowners who already think it is their river. It turns out that there may be a conspiracy of conflicting interests at work here. The current head of TPWD is a former board member of The Nature Conservancy, which owns land adjacent to Dolan Falls and does not allow public use of that land. The realtor for the buyer of the Devils River SNA is a board member of The Nature Conservancy. I think that the landowner involved in the swap is also a current Nature Conservancy board member, but I cannot confirm that as of now.

The swap will net the landowner some $7.9 million taxpayer dollars, and we, the citizens of the state, will gain only about 2,000 acres in an area that is NOT suitable for purposes of canoeing or kayaking the Devils River.

On Thursday, November 4, TPWD is holding a public meeting at their headquarters in Austin at 9:00 AM to discuss and possibly finalize this land swap. It is imperative that we muster a large contingent of opposition voices to cry “foul” and thwart this attempt to terminate our access to the Devils River. I will get the exact address of the meeting and then send it in a subsequent e-mail.

Meanwhile, PLEASE notify every paddler you know, even if they have not paddled the Devils and are not likely to paddle that river, and ask them to voice their opposition. I will also get e-mail addresses and snail mail addresses, as well as telephone numbers to call to file opposition remarks about this planned heist.

We have to act quickly and forcefully to prevent losing access to the Devils River for the remainder of our lives. Please get involved NOW!

Warmest regards,

Marc W. McCord, Webmaster
Dallas Downriver Club

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2. Texas Rivers Protection Association

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Texas Rivers Protection Association

Subject: Devils River State Natural Area land swap
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:05:14 -0500

On October 13, I received the news release that is attached below (dated
October 12). It pertains to a plan that the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD) has to trade the Devils River State Natural Area (DRSNA)
plus 8 million dollars in cash for a smaller tract of land further down the
Devils River known as the Devils River Ranch (DRR). The plan was first made
�public� at a brown bag lunch that the executive director of TPWD holds
several times a year with a few representatives of various conservation
organizations (like the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation and
the Audubon Society). As far as we can tell, no representatives of paddling
groups were present at that meeting.

There are some major problems that we see with this land swap:

1) The state would be losing, rather than gaining natural area (from the
current 19,988 acres down to 17,600 acres). And, while the state would be
getting more waterfront (approximately 5 miles of �riverfront� and 5 miles
of lakefront � compared with the 1.5 miles of riverfront in the DRSNA) most
of that waterfront would be flat water that is adversely affected by the
winds coming off Lake Amistad. It should also be noted that the DRR is
adjacent to the Amistad National Recreation Area, which is 58,500 acres in
size, and contains numerous opportunities for camping, hiking, boating and
other outdoor activities.

2) The 8 million dollars of additional money that the state will have to pay
to conclude this �swap� will use up all of the land acquisition money
available to the TPWD and still leave a shortfall of 2 million dollars. (We
have been told that TPWD has 4 million dollars of land acquisition money,
they will get an anonymous gift of 2 million dollars if they swap this land,
and they will need to find the remaining 2 million dollars somewhere).

3) Even if the state can come up with the 8 million dollars to acquire this
property, they will still need to find monies to complete a management plan
(approximately $650,000) and construction and maintenance funds for this new
park. There are simply better ways for the state to spend its limited
resources.

4) The loss of the DRSNA will mean that fly-fishermen, canoeists and
kayakers wishing to run the Devils will lose the only public campsite that
currently exists between Hwy 163 and Lake Amistad. At this time, paddlers
can launch early in the morning at Bakers Crossing and make it to the
primitive camping area at the DRSNA (about 15 miles by river) before dark.
Currently, paddlers can use the DRSNA as a put in (it could be used as a
take out as well, with a change in policy) to run the ten-mile section of
river from the DRSNA to the private take out in the Blue Sage Subdivision.

We would suggest, as an alternative to this planned swap, that the state use
its limited funds to:

1) Acquire (or develop) a put in near the Hwy 163 crossing. (If the owners
of Bakers Crossing are willing to sell, that would make a great
acquisition).

2) Acquire (through purchase, lease or agreement) certain river accessible
sites that can be used by river users for lunch spots and/or campsites.
This would help eliminate many of the "trespass" issues related to running
the Devils.

3) Acquire a take out - either in the vicinity of the current Blue Sage take
out, or possibly a portion of the DRR. (Paddlers don't need 17,000 acres of
property for campsites, put ins or take outs - they need much smaller tracts
of land).

We would also suggest that the state should modify its policy at the DRSNA:

Allow paddlers to have the combination to the gate to the river access area
and allow paddlers to drive there to launch or take out their craft. Allow
paddlers to leave their vehicles in a safe area, out of the floodway, and
considerably closer to the river than the current parking area that is 1.5
miles from the river. That way, paddlers could use the DRSNA as a put in or
a take out.

It would also be helpful if the state would either put in composting toilets
at the designated primitive campsites, or mandate that river users carry out
all solid human waste. The state should encourage zero impact camping.

To help eliminate altercations between river users and landowners, it might
also be necessary for the state to instigate a river permit system for
running the Devils, which would require certain equipment (like fire pans
and portable toilets) in a manner similar to the system the National Park
System employs in Big Bend National Park.

If you agree with the above statements, it is very important that you convey
your thoughts to the TPWD. You have three possibilities to do so:

1) Plan to attend the hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26 in San
Antonio Texas at the Central Public Library, 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX
[phone] [phone]

2) Plan to attend the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting at 9
a.m. on November 4, in the Commission Hearing Room at TPWD headquarters,
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

3) Send a letter to Ted Hollingsworth, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744. Or e-mail him at:
[e-mail]

Your opinion is important, and we need you to express it if we are to save
our access to the Devils River. Thanks!

Tom Goynes
President
Texas Rivers Protection Association
444 Pecan Park Drive
San Marcos, TX
78666
512-392-6171 512-392-6171
e-mail: [e-mail]

FROM
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=151297&start=25

[sonias]

3. Sierra Club action

Posted on this other thread:

Speak out about the Devils River sneak attack
DU Texas forum thread

Since you did most of the research on it, thought you should know about it.

:kick:

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4. Thanks sonia

We have a special place our heart for TPWLD. Enjoyed many good times. And I really hate the way perry and politicians have ruined TPWD and suck all the fee, and Pittman-Robert money out of it. To fund there slush fund for cronyies.

Then every perry land deal is another crony story just like the last 3 they have tried to pull off. Just like the West Big Bend park, Christmas mountain etc.



http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/other-area-parks/devils-river-paddle-trips-are-in-danger!!-action-is-needed-to-keep-public-access/15/



http://www.delrionewsherald.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2b08d316f938cb40

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5. Texas park agency plans controversial land deal

Critics fear the transaction would pollute the river when more people visit it; they wonder why the cash-strapped agency is spending nearly all its land acquisition funds when further budget cuts are likely; they argue the park service is handing over more for less; and they are angered the department is rushing to approve the deal on Nov. 4, accusing it of dodging its own policy for buying and selling land.

"This reeks of being a very bad deal," Tom Goynes, president of the Texas Rivers Protection Association, said. "We would at least like to see the process slowed down."

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/texas-park-agency-plans-controversial-land-deal-1003257.html

[sonias]

6. Another fast track deal to steal from the people of Texas

Perry and his crew are getting really good at this thievery.

The debate has spurred conspiracy theories and raised long-buried anxieties by environmentalists that the parks department is trying to carry out fly-by-night land acquisitions. Environmentalists accuse the agency of violating its 30-day public comment period, pegging the start on Oct. 12 when news releases on the proposal went out. The parks department insists the comment period began at an Oct. 4 luncheon with environmentalists and notes the deal has generated more discussion than nearly any other.

I wouldn't trust anything that Perry appointees say about any decision being made for the "good of Texans". That $2 million from an anonymous donor must be someone that expects to make it back somehow in huge returns under Perry's watch. That's how he works.

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7. Looks like the public out rage shut this crony down for now...Turd seem to float around perry

Just another good buddy deal under the perry table.



Among the concerns: the loss of 3,000 acres of state-owned wilderness; the loss of up-river access to watercraft and anglers; the loss of state control of freshwater springs in the state natural area; the $8 million cash at a time when state finances are severely challenged; and the relationships of some of the principals in the deal, including Smith, who was formerly with the The Nature Conservancy in Texas, Sanders, who is on the TNC board of trustees, and James King, a land broker and former TNC land negotiator.

>>>>>>>
http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoors/tpwc-delays-vote-on-land-near-devils-river-1015875.html

[sonias]

8. Surprise they put it on hold

We do have to keep following it. I'm sure they'll try again.

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9. The Public Raise there ugly head again

Smith noted that recent public hearings in Del Rio and San Antonio, as well as public comments sent to the department, demanded that the department slow down the process of acquiring Sanders' property. "Although it's been messy, this process has worked," he said. "It's brought out all of the issues we should be working on."

http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoors/state-looks-at-alternatives-to-devils-river-land-1019577.html





http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outdoors/entries/2010/11/03/devils_river_land_swap_now_on.html?cxntfid=blogs_no_limits
By Jim Norman

November 4, 2010 10:21 AM | Link to this

We definitely need to shine some light - journalistic light - on this issue. The first public comment about this land swap was on Oct. 14, 2010. If one follows the links at the TPWD web site regarding this issue, one can obtain copies of the appraisals on both the Devils River Ranch and the State Natural Area. The appraisal for the DRR is dated February, 2010. It must have been ordered a few months prior to this. Why did the commission wait so long to make the public aware of this swap? Is there something to hide? Reading further into the appraisal one finds the new value to be $15,875,000 for the DRR. In August, 2006 (according to the appraisal) Mr. Sanders purchased the DRR for $5,368, 765. Now I may not be a smart man, but I do not believe any real estate in Texas has tripled in value in the last 4 years. The whole deal just does not smell right. TPWD and the Nature Conservancy need to open up this process and let the people of this state know exactly what they are up to here. This is a large sum of money to be spending at a time when funds are so tight.

[sonias]

10. Good for the public!

Frankly I'm still surprised they put a halt to it. I'm thinking Sanders must not have ponied up enough donations to the Perry campaign. :shrug:

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11. You are so right there.

Sanders must not have ponied up enough :evilgrin:

Another thing that probably shut it down is they have tried to pull several crony deals over the last few year and the public is watching them.
EXam:
West Big Bend Ranch buddy deal
Christmas Mountain deal
The Managed Land Permit,
Trap, Tag, Transport program that is abused,
& Deals for Deer and Quail so the big boys can hunt year around with NO limit or restriction enforced.

Public has shut these down except MLDP
:evilgrin:

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12. Devils River land swap now on shaky ground :evilgrin:

No it is TPWD public credibility that is on shaky grounds doing trying to do more dirty deals with Perrys cronys :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:


The story:
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outdoors/entries/2010/11/03/devils_river_land_swap_now_on.html


And some comments about this slam:
Devils River land swap now on shaky ground

By Jim Norman

November 4, 2010 10:21 AM | Link to this

We definitely need to shine some light - journalistic light - on this issue. The first public comment about this land swap was on Oct. 14, 2010. If one follows the links at the TPWD web site regarding this issue, one can obtain copies of the appraisals on both the Devils River Ranch and the State Natural Area. The appraisal for the DRR is dated February, 2010. It must have been ordered a few months prior to this. Why did the commission wait so long to make the public aware of this swap? Is there something to hide? Reading further into the appraisal one finds the new value to be $15,875,000 for the DRR. In August, 2006 (according to the appraisal) Mr. Sanders purchased the DRR for $5,368, 765. Now I may not be a smart man, but I do not believe any real estate in Texas has tripled in value in the last 4 years. The whole deal just does not smell right. TPWD and the Nature Conservancy need to open up this process and let the people of this state know exactly what they are up to here. This is a large sum of money to be spending at a time when funds are so tight.

By Doubtful

November 4, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this

Good news. I am glad to hear TPWD and Mr. Smith exercised some caution and common sense on this deal. There is a reason why the Devils Rivers Ranch has been on the market for 18 months. I would urge our state officials to conduct more extensive due dilligence on the appraisals and to look at ALL viable alternatives. Including buying other “less inflated” parcels in other locations that would provide better outdoor opportunities and more open space for Texans. If Mr. Sanders truly has “too many ranches” why does he need to acquire the State Natural Area via a secret land swap with the state?

[sonias]

13. "whole deal just does not smell right"

Yes this does need some journalistic light to shine on this issue. We don't have independent investigative journalism anymore however. :(

Not sure this ranks that high on the issues that The Texas Observer or the Texas Tribune would focus on. They're the only two media sources that could dig into this.

[sonias]

14. Parks Department Will Vote on Devil's River Land

Texas Tribune 12/06/10
Parks Department Will Vote on Devil's River Land
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is set to vote later this month on a deal to buy a Southwest Texas ranch.

The Parks and Wildlife Department came under heated criticism last month when it proposed swapping private ranch property with the Devil's River State Natural Area — and paying $8 million. That proposal was shelved, and now the commission will decide whether to buy the ranch outright and add it to the existing natural area.

Rod Sanders, owner of Devil's River Ranch, agreed to sell the property to the department for $13 million, less than the $15,875,000 the property value was appraised for this year, the department said in a press release today. The acquisition would be funded with $4 million in state and federal money, plus $9 million from private donations. A briefing will be held in Del Rio on Thursday.

Last month, days before the commissioners were set to vote on the initial proposal, an Austin American-Statesman article raised questions about relationships among Sanders, the department and the deal’s land broker, Texas conservation real estate giant James King. The article questioned why the department seemed in a rush to seal the deal. But Scott Boruff, executive director of operations at the department, said the commissioners were clear during public meetings that Sanders was in a hurry to sell his property by the end of the year for tax purposes.

:kick:

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15. stinks to me

Thanks

" plus $9 million from private donations."

Wonder who and what there purpose is?

[sonias]

16. Yeah that $9Mil sticks out like a sore thumb

I wonder who is contributing this much money in this economy? Could it be someone who stands to make double or triple the donation amount from public contracts? We may never know or not know for years.

:shrug:

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17. Just a guess

Holt Industries (BD Holt Catepillar Dealer) already got some of the TEF slush funds
Zachary
Centra/Spain/Perry/ Toll Roads Un Limited
So they can have thier private hunting club area part of the park.

Maybe the old dick will be there to hunt with them.

[sonias]

18. the old dick...

:puke:

It's so unfair for a good person like Elizabeth Edwards to die of cancer while that war whore still roams the earth. May he rot in hell for all eternity when he finally gets there!

[sonias]

19. Devil's River State Natural Area saved

AAS 12/20/10
Devil's River State Natural Area saved

AUSTIN, Texas — Environmentalists hailed a state panel's decision Monday to buy 18,000 acres of wilderness along a remote West Texas river without trading a pristine state natural preserve in the bargain.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to buy the Devil's River Ranch in Val Verde County along 10 miles of the pristine river. The state will use $4 million in state and federal money and more than $10 million in private donations to close the purchase of the land from Dallas businessman Rod Sanders.

The Devil's River is a Rio Grande tributary and considered the state's last "wild" river. The river is so pristine that it is used as a benchmark for clean water standards.

The 20,000-acre Devil's River State Natural Area, on the Texas-Mexico border near Del Rio, is the state's second largest "natural area," an official designation that affords seven Texas properties the highest level of environmental protection. Nature lovers prize the area for its hiking and kayaking.

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20. Thanks

Going to be interesting to watch and find out who is using the new area. Public or good hair and his crony. Just something wrong with there postive agenda about adding this to TPWL lands with the defecit. I smell a snake in the grass.